Living the balanced life: Kindness

Kindness (mutual affection) is the second to the last of the virtues we are imbibing in the journey towards living the balanced life still focusing on 2 Peter 1:5-8:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you posses these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.

Mutual affection simply refers to kindness; being affectionate to others.

But what does it really cost to show affection?

A kind word, an undeserved favour, a hand of help, a need met, a word of prayer said while holding a feeble hand, a little time spent beside a strangers sick bed.

The beautiful thing about kindness is that though it is the Holy Spirit who produces this virtue in us, we are to show it to other people. Or is there a thing as being kind to God? I doubt. It is only used in our relationship with one another. “Be kind to one another…” (Eph 4:32)

When last did you do something kind to someone without being asked?

While you are seated with Christ in the heavenly places chanting spiritual songs and hymns, don’t forget to be kind to someone here on earth.

After looking up to Jesus, look down to (not on) that shy kid in school or that aged grandma who needs an interpreter.

God doesn’t need your kindness; your neighbor does, the mother with three kids sitting close to you in the bus does, your employee does, your needy brother in Church does. And guess what, you do! Be kind to yourself too for God has been kind to you.

Also, we live in an age of glaring doctrinal differences that is tearing us apart. Christians are now quick to lash out on one anyone who doesn’t agree with them.

We despise those who cover their hair because we don’t and castigate those who wear trousers because we don’t. We show hostility to other denominations because they don’t pray like we do and more recently, the fight about eternal salvation.

Christians now fight on social media just because they want share their knowledge and prove the other person’s doctrine wrong.

But can we still disagree…kindly? Or do we always have to stab one another with unkind words?

Where has our love for the brethren gone? We must not all agree before we can speak kindly to one another. We can still be kind even when we have differing opinions and levels of understanding. We can correct without killing each other. We can teach without fighting.

We can love without borders!!!

Our affection is supposed to be mutual regardless of doctrine or creed. God knew we would not all agree when he commanded us to be kind to one another.

So let’s pick up the pieces, the Christ for whom we claim to fight loves without boundaries. He is kind and compassionate.